The best building if you're looking for a great value of location, social, and nice places! Building is about half Kellogg. 2 year lease is also nice not to have to worry about rent increasing in the second year.

The apartment is very good, spacious (we have a den in addition to our 1 bedroom). The building is also great and the rent includes almost everything, even internet and HD cable, plus there's W/D inside the unit, which is great. However, the fact that it is a condo makes things a little harder for us (eg. when something doesn't work properly, or various carpet stains upon arrival). If I had to do it again, I would choose an apartment complex instead of a condo.

Optima Horizons is spacious with lots of storage. It is a nice management mix -- it is great to work with your individual landlord on any apartment issues, plus have a door-person to help with deliveries. The gym is small but usable if your can't bear to go outside, and you can't beat the location. It's only an 8 minute walk to the Jake once you discover the "shortcut" and restaurants, the train, and the party of E2 are all close, too. Units on the 5th floor have a larger roofdeck, which is great for grilling and hanging out outside -- especially if you plan on interning in Chicago over the summer!

The building is clean and in great condition. The gym isn't anything out of this world, but it'll get you through in the winter. Also has an indoor heated pool and rent includes cable and internet.

Only 5-10min walk to campus, downtown, the train station, and e2 (most get-togethers will take place in this building)

Very good value for rent. My one complaint is that the building is not as social as E2, but that's not a big deal overall

I love living in the Optima Horizons complex.

Positives:
1. One side of the apartment is all floor to ceiling windows, and gets good natural light during the day.
2. Close to everything! The public transit, 10 min walk to school (7 minutes if you're running late to a class, and need to POWER WALK/RUN it).
3. Central to all other apartment complexes that your friends live in.
4. This COULD be a positive or negative - but you'll randomly find yourself in the elevator with a dog! WIN!
5. Super attentive front desk staff. They're very helpful, will let you use the cart anytime you're hauling any big packages to your apartment

Negatives:
1. The one annoying thing about this unit in particular is that the washer and dryer are located in the master bedroom (not that big of a deal, since my roommate is cool with me going in and doing laundry any time, but can see that becoming a nuisance if I'm a night owl and prefer doing my laundry then.)
2. In comparison, this apartment feels slightly on the more expensive side for having to sign a two year lease, AND for not being able to sublet it over the summer. I know that I'm paying a premium for location, but it's a pretty heavy premium.

Because this is a condo building, each unit varies in terms of the build-out (i.e. wood-floor, upgraded counters, etc.). Additionally, some units have more control over their A/C through a thermostat, where others (including ours) have more of an on/off switch for air-control. The building has front-desk security to accept packages which is fantastic, and they staff is incredibly friendly and helpful. Rent can vary from one unit to another as these are condos and the majority seem to be independently owned. Also, the Davis street station for the L and Metra are both within a 5 minute walk.

Tons of space and great amenities for the price. Management is friendly and location is ideal. No complaints!

I think Optima Horizons is the closest apartment complex to the Jake, which is super convenient. Our apartment is beautiful: floor to ceiling windows and very modernized and new appliances. Washer/dryer in the unit. There is a little gym in the complex as well as a patio with grills that we can use when it's warmer out. There's an indoor pool and hot tub, and a big party room we can rent out for $50. The building is a mix of Kellogg students and old people, which is kind of strange but weirdly works out very well. They are strict on no subletting, and are lacking any common space for group meetings, but I couldn't be happier with my choice to live here!

Overall it's a great place -- it's nice if you don't want to be in the center of the party action, but you want to be very close by to it (2 minute walk to E2). The location is great (7-9 minute walk to the Jake), and it's close to a lot of restaurants in downtown. The building itself is in great condition, but the units vary because they are owned by individuals. Our apartment is amazing and has updated cabinets and wood floors; the layout is also nice. All of the units have balconies. We also have a W/D in unit and a dish washer. The bedrooms can both fit full+ beds. You can hear the trains outside, but it's not too bad if the windows are closed. Our landlord is also incredible and always responsive when we need something.